The Miami Dolphins have suddenly become the NFL's hot team, beating

DAVE GOLDBERG

Oct. 07, 1993

Undated (AP) _ The Miami Dolphins have suddenly become the NFL's hot team, beating Buffalo at Buffalo, then taking the Redskins Monday night at home.

Now they go into Cleveland, a game that shows every indication of an ambush - teams up for two straight games can suddenly come down, particularly on the road in a tough stadium.

The Dolphins come in as 2 1/2 -point favorites against the Browns, who will again start the newly signed Bernie Kosar. Vinny Testaverde, the relief pitcher, will wait in the wings.

For whatever it's worth, both Kosar and Testaverde have ties to Miami. They played in college there, with Testaverde backing up Kosar in that situation, too.

More important is the letdown factor. If there's a spot for the Dolphins to ease up, this is it.

Besides, Bryan Cox hasn't said anything nasty about Cleveland.

And Kosar's due for a good week.

BROWNS, 20-17 Houston (plus 3 1/2 ) at Buffalo

This is where the trouble started for the Oilers, who blew a 35-3 third- quarter lead to the Bills last season, fired defensive coordinator Jim Eddy and hired Buddy Ryan.

''We certainly haven't done much since then to get our confidence back,'' coach Jack Pardee said.

Maybe it will help the Oilers that Jim Kelly, injured during that playoff game, is the Buffalo quarterback instead of Frank Reich. Maybe it will help that the Bills had to huff and puff to beat the Giants Sunday.

And maybe it won't.

BILLS, 35-3. Chicago (plus 7) at Philadelphia

Dave Wannstedt, in his best CoachSpeak form, says he'd rather face Randall Cunningham than Bubby Brister because he coached against Cunningham twice a year in Dallas.

Sure.

EAGLES, 13-10 New York Giants (no line) at Washington

The no line is because no one, including Richie Petitbon, knows who'll play quarterback for Washington. The Giants probably will be without the overworked Rodney Hampton, who inevitably injured his leg.

But the Redskins have more injuries, are probably overrated to start with and have lost to the Giants in six of the eight non-strike games at RFK.

GIANTS, 20-17 Cincinnati (no line) at Kansas City

The no line is because Joe Montana may not play for the Chiefs.

No line? The Chiefs could win this game with Marty Schottenheimer playing quarterback.

CHIEFS, 24-2 Dallas (minus 11) at Indianapolis

Jeff George probably will start for the Colts. Will they boo him the first time he throws an incomplete pass? Will he break into tears?

COWBOYS, 23-10 New York Jets (plus 3) at Los Angeles Raiders

Another ''Who's the quarterback?'' game.

The Raiders are one team with Jeff Hostetler, another with Vince Evans.

Hostetler probably plays ...

RAIDERS, 23-17 Denver (plus 3) at Green Bay

The Broncos are a lot better at home and the Packers are desperate.

But the Packers have been beaten twice in the final minute and now get John Elway, who does that kind of thing four or five times a season.

BRONCOS, 21-20 San Diego (plus 3) at Pittsburgh

Rick Mirer shredded the Chargers' defense last week.

This week, it's Gary Anderson besting John Carney.

STEELERS, 19-15. Tampa Bay (plus 9 1/2 ) at Minnesota

Are the Bucs for real? How much of a test is a game against a team like the Vikings, who have scored only four touchdowns all season?

Make it five.

VIKINGS, 22-6. New England (plus 10) at Phoenix

Bill Parcells knows all about beating the Cards ... with playoff and Super Bowl teams from New York.

His Pats?

They've lost two home games by a total of six points and two road games by a total of 62.